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with boats ranging from 9.3m to 16m.
Both Dicksons are seasoned yachties who have faced many
trying ocean passages before. Having completed a lot of their
short-handed sailing together, Hamish, a Bay of Islands-based
yacht rigger, says it’ll feel a bit diferent this time to be looking
at each other from across the waves.
“It will be pretty special to say I’ve done it with my old man.
For me, it’s one of those bucket-list things that’s always been at
the back of my mind. Having Dad share the journey, even if he is
on a diferent boat, is pretty cool as well.”
Beneath their humble demeanors, Malcom and Hamish
carry a host of industry skills which will serve them well.
A yacht designer and boat builder in his own right, Malcolm’sfrst taste of the Trans-Tasman challenge was in 1977. He
fnished ffth in his yacht, Spindrift.
Adding a special element to their entries this year is that he
built both his and Hamish’s boats. Tey may be 10ft apart in
size and 20 years apart in age, but Zenith and Sarau both hold
the trademarks of quality Dickson Marine builds, their former
family boatyard in Nelson. Hamish believes they are the perfect
yachts to stand the rigours of the Tasman sea.
“Zenith – a triple-skin kauri build – was launched in 1985
and I learned to race in her,” says Hamish. “She was our second
family boat – the frst was a 29-footer in which we cruised
around the Pacifc Islands.”
His frst stints of solo-sailing began at age 14, and since thenfollow
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